A beautiful coin silver sugar shell, 6 & 9/16 inches long, in the "Olive" pattern, quite possibly made by William Gale of NYC. Marked "BRINSMAIDS," in rectangle. The mark is quite rubbed but I am sure it is BRINSMAIDS,. I cannot make out an apostrephe between the d and the final s , but I expect it is there. The shell is too late to be the Brinsmaid of Burlinton, VT in Kovels'. I expect it is the firm of Brinsmaid & Bros., Burlington, VT, ca. 1843-54, identified in Belden, since that is the... Click for details

Coin silver gravy ladle in the "Olive" pattern, 6 and 3/8 inches long, sold by Farrington & Hunnewell, Boston, ca. 1836-1881. Most likely made around 1860. Marked "[star] F. & H. [star] BOSTON." incuse. Quite possibly made by William Gale in NYC. In excellent condition with only the drop showing any wear. No engraving. A great gravy ladle for holiday or special occasion use.

A coin silver dessert fork, 6 an 15/16 inches long, in the "Olive" pattern, marked "Wood & Hughes" incuse and "W [&] H" incuse with the mark that the 4th ed. of Rainwater identifies as being used after 1871. However, since the fork is coin and is not marked sterling, I expect that it was made before 1871, possibly by William Gale, and marketed by Wood & Hughes in NYC later. Engraved "J. I. Crosby" in script. Tines worn unevenly, but still quite usable. Wood & Hughes were in business ca.... Click for details

A very heavy early sterling silver tablespoon in excellent condition in a varian of the "Tuscan" pattern, 8 and 1/4 inches long ca. 1868. An interesting piece because it was given as a "memento mori," i.e. a memento of a person's death. Engraved "Adam Sherman" in script on the front and "April 2nd 1868" "Aged 87 Y 1 M 18 Days" on thee reverse in script. Marked "J.T.FOX" and "925" incuse. Possibly John T. Fox of Rochester, but Kovel's gives an earlier date for him.

Coin silver dessert spoon in the "Tuscan" pattern, probably made by William Gale of NYC. 6 and 11/16 inches long. Sold in Philadelphia by Bailey & Co. Marked Bailey & Co. incuse and "PATENT 1846" incuse in rectangle. Engraved "EO" in script.In great condition with only the slightest wear on the left side of the tip, which is barely noticeable.

`Retailed by E. Mead & Co., St. Louis -- feathered script mono W F L on scimitar-like blade; 6-3/4" in length. Excellent condition. Josephine was Mary Todd Lincoln's pattern. Other than the last initial of the mono, there is absolutely no indication that these pieces were part of her set.

Coin silver butter knife in the "Empire" pattern of John Polhamus, NYC. Marked "_[J?]P PATENT 1857" incuse and "GEO. W. CHATTERTON" incuse for the retailer, whose location is unknown. Engraved "Clara 1866" in cursive on the front. Ca. 1857-1866. In very good condition.

A pair of coin silver teaspoons in the "Louis XIV" pattern by John Polhamus of New York City, retailed by C. Bard & Son in Philadelphia, ca. 1850. Marked "PATENT 1847" incuse with a "W", apparently a journeyman's mark, and "C BARD & SON" incuse. Engraved "AML" in cursive on the front. Bowls are in excellent condition.

A pair of coin silver teaspoons in the "Louis XIV" pattern by John Polhamus of New York City, retailed by C. Bard & Son in Philadelphia, ca. 1850. Marked "PATENT 1847" incuse with a "W", apparently a journeyman's mark, and "C BARD & SON" incuse. Engraved "AML" in cursive on the front. Bowls are in excellent condition.

1 American coin silver teaspoon in the "Louis XIV" pattern. The pattern is by John Pohlamus, a New York City silversmith who provided Tiffany & Co. with much of its flatware in the mid-19th Century. Marked "PATENT 1847" incuse, "H" incuse probably for Henry Hebbard with whom he worked from 1852-58,although it may be a journeyman's mark, and "TIFFANY & Co." incuse for the retailer Tiffany of NYC. The "H" probably dates the piece to 1852-58, but only if it stands for Hebbard and not a... Click for details

6 Sterling Dinner Forks, American, in the Tipped/Tipt pattern. Reverse of the end of the handle is slightly concave. C. 1870-1900. Marked with only "925" "STERLING" "1000" on the reverse. Engraved "M.B.M." on the front of the handle in script. Tines slightly worn. One handle slightly out of exact shape, barely noticeable.

Four coin silver dinner forks, 7 $ 5/8 inches long, in a spatulate pattern generally known as Antique or French Antique. Tines have minimal wear for the period. Engraved with a Gothic "D" on the front of the handle end. Marked "A. SKINNER" & "PURE COIN" incuse on the middle oif the handle on the reverse. Location of A. Skinner unknown. Circa 1850-70.

A pair of William Gale & Son
Sterling Silver Dessert Forks, 7 and !/8 inches long, in a pattern I have not been able to identify but one that might be called "Tipt Bead." Tines somewhat worn. Engraved "M.J.S." in Gothic on the front. Marked with a "2" [probably a journeyman's or quality mark], "W GALE & SON" & "925 STERLING" on the middle of the reverse of the handle. Circa 1850-1859 [see Rainwater U Redfield, 4th Ed. at p. 118. Some of the photos are poor in color. The forks are bright... Click for details

Magnificent coin silver soup ladle in the "Bead" pattern, probably manufactured by John Pohlamus, retailed by Ball Black & co. c. 1851-76. I would date this from 1851-1860, certainly not after 1970. Engraved "C.A.W." in gothic on the reverse of the handle end. Marked "BALL BLACK & CO" incuse on back in middle of handle.